The 5th of November was the wedding day for Judith and Neville Silby and I was still a one man band but feeling a little better about it after my test run at the RSA the week before. A lovely ceremony and dinner were held at the Towai church and hall with family and close friends. We wish Mr and Mrs Neville Silby and Judith all the very best for their future together.
On the 12th we headed to Te Awamutu for the annual charity concert organised by Val and Ray Thurgood. We were the main guest artists this year and a good crowd turned out for the show held at the Bible Chapel. There was a great line up of supporting acts however the show ended on a sad note with the news that former drummer and well known local identity, Ken Rangi, had passed away. We send our sincerest condolences to Ken’s family and friends.
On the Sunday we were off to the Vue Bar at Hamilton Casino to perform. An interesting venue this one to play which we are slowly getting the feel for and look forward to performing at in 2012. Once again thank you to everyone that came along to support us especially Lynette Porter, Joy Adams and the team from Aaron Court Motor Inn. We headed off at about 4:30 and made it home around 9:30 after stopping for dinner in Albany at a very nice Thai restaurant which Annette had previously visited and which was introduced to me by my son and daughter in law.
We had a couple of weeks to recoup before our big expedition to Nelson for the Hospice Charity Concert organised by Phil and Barbara Steans, Bob and Hilary Young and their team of helpers. They flew us down and put us up in a very nice motel, Parkside Motel, for the weekend. The concert was very well supported and joining us on the show were Joy Adams, Graeme McCardle, Maureen Thompson and local junior, intermediate and senior entertainers from the Nelson region who did an excellent job. We must thank the Good Time Country Band for the excellent backing they provided. They were; Erol Goodall on lead guitar, Paula Connor on rhythm guitar, Jim Palmer on bass and Luke Connor on drums. Paula had given birth to her and Luke’s third baby just a week before the show. That’s dedication for you. Well done Paula and well done band. Thank you also to Phil, Barb, Bob, Hilary and Marg for their awesome hospitality. I also managed to catch up with two of my first cousins, Brian who now lives in the Abel Tasman region and Dorothy who lives with her husband Brian in Blenhiem. Dorothy brought her three grandson’s , Luke ,Ben and Jack who are my third cousins, along to see us perform. We had a fantastic weekend even though I was a bit under the weather with a stomach bug. We must also thank all those kind folk who supported us by buying our cds. It is very much appreciated.
Also on the weekend of the 26th were the NZCMA EOY Awards and I had an original song in the competition representing the Auckland Country Music Association Awards. As I was unable to attend the awards our very good friend Neil McKenzie-Hall had agreed to sing it for me and blow me down it won. So I am very pleased to say that I am the NZCMA Songwriter of the Year for 2011.WoHoo. Thank you Neil for singing my song I have heard that you did an awesome job of it. Congratulations. By all accounts the whole show was excellent so I have been told. Well done to the NZCMA also. We must also congratulate Phoebe Ball for taking out the top award and two very awesome young ladies, Reba and Taylor Ryland aka Double Trouble, for being Overall Runners Up in the intermediate section. Well done girls.
So that was November done and dusted as well. We will catch up with you all in December.
Take care and keep it country
Annette and Kim
August/ September 2011
